What inspired you to write
your book? I hadn’t really
planned to write a book. My medium had always been youth theatre, as a
director, teacher and published playwright, so I began writing what I thought
would be a fifty-minute play, about an impetuous little princess. The main
character, Maagy, is an amalgamation of my two daughters and my two
granddaughters. I watched my son with his girls and remembered some of our
difficulties, raising his two sisters. The ideas seemed to flow like water. I
knew it was no longer a children’s play, when there was more scenery
description than conversation and it was 150 pages long! I had embarked upon a
ten-year adventure, of my own. There are four more books, already, and no end
in sight.
What are its central themes? “Just Maagy” is really about the struggles
girls face, when growing into womanhood. The story begins on Maagy’s thirteenth
birthday, a time of hormonal changes, emotional roller coasters and storm
clouds on the horizon. To make matters worse, her widowed father has spoiled
her. Maagy must learn to cope with her coming of age, as well as, her destiny.
Her journey addresses fundamental social issues, such as integrity, humility,
empathy and social responsibility (after all, she will become the queen in five
years and she is woefully unprepared for it). Maagy is feisty and not afraid to
stand up for what she believes and is, also, not afraid to stand up to those
who would try to intimidate or bully her. This is important in today’s
adolescent climate.
How do we teach these things
to kids? First and foremost, start early! Even babies can begin to learn
manners... require “please” and “thank you”… teach them to use eating utensils,
instead of their fingers… teach them to pick up their toys and clothes and put
them away. It may take a great deal of patience, with some, but the reward, for
consistently requiring standards is worth the effort. These lessons are about
far more than etiquette or tidying up. Second, but certainly not less
important, always live the message being spoken. Words are fine, but nothing
teaches integrity and humility like watching a parent set a good example, by
always doing the right thing, when the wrong thing would be so much easier.
Finally, keep love in your heart, even if anger is flying out of your mouth!
Choices have consequences, but bad decisions do not make bad children.
Discipline from a place of concern and wellbeing, not from a place of revenge
or spitefulness. It’s always easy to “Monday Morning Quarterback”. I’ve raised
my babies and see the rewards, but, honestly, when I was in the thick of it,
I’m not sure I could have been so philosophical!
What challenges did you
overcome in writing this book? What
I had to overcome was my own myopic vision of my work. Truthfully, I had to get
over myself! In the beginning… fall of 2004… I was writing a book about me. I
was processing my sub conscience, even though I didn’t recognize it, at the
time, creating a cathartic adventure, as lived through my little princess. But
then, the well of creativity ran dry, after a year or so. In about 2010, I
rediscovered “Growing up Maagy”, the working title for the book, and began,
anew. I was inexperienced at the skill and art of writing and developed a
“style” I thought was oh-so-cute. It was pretentious. I was writing from a
periscope’s viewpoint, until an old friend, from the past, just happened to
visit and I imposed upon him to read it and give me perspective. His carefully
worded phrases of both critique and praise, for what was good, opened Maagy’s
world to me and, over the next two years, I had the majority of three more
books well under way. The next obstacle was deciding whether I was writing
strictly for myself or if I wanted other people to read my words and glean
something useful. I knew that, with the latter, I would need to be brutal with
the cuts… there was so much of my own childhood that no one else could possibly
find interesting. I made the right decision and the cutting and crying began.
Once I had a product I was proud of, it was time to let other people read… oh
boy! I’m a pretty tough old broad, but hearing comments, which didn’t always
mesh with my lofty opinions, was sobering. However, I worked hard to jump that
hurdle, as well, and forced myself to listen. I even took the suggestions… on a
number of occasions. Writing is like any other artistic endeavor. It is very
personal… visceral… and critique goes to the gut, like a knife. However, it is
also a process, which needs perspective, if the goal is to share the art with
the rest of world. It’s a battle I fight with myself, daily!
What do you find is rewarding
about being a published author? So
far, it’s not the fame and fortune! Hopefully, that will come. Seriously, the
best rewards are when I go to schools and talk about the process of writing and
read excerpts from “Just Maagy”. I’m an actor, at heart, and give quite an
animated rendition of some of the funnier moments… like the food fight, at her
birthday party. Then there are poignant moments between her father, King Henry,
and Maagy, which the kids find touching. They love the hints of magic and
Maagy’s spit-and-vinegar personality. After devoting my life to being a mother,
a choice I wouldn’t change for the world, it feels good to be known for
something that is uniquely me… even though my children are, in one way or the
other, very present, throughout the series of books. I feel as though I have
something to share with readers, children and adults, and I’ve accomplished it
and that is very rewarding.
Any advice to a struggling
writer? KEEP WRITING!!! I’m always full of advice… just ask my kids. Advice is
totally free and you can take it or leave it, but if you are asking, then I’m
telling… KEEP WRITING!! You definitely will not get it right, the first time.
You will need to cut, rewrite, edit, go cold as ice… as dark as a moonless
night… but keep at it… if you only write two words at a time. Go back and
re-read and edit. Sometimes, it gives you new perspective or triggers a
thought. Never leave home without paper and pen or electronic device you can
access, in a moment’s notice. I’ve written some of my best scenes while driving
between North Carolina and Florida. I can’t count the number of times I’ve
stopped at a rest area or Cracker Barrel to drag out the Mac and write
something that popped into my head. I’ve extended many a nine-hour drive to ten
or eleven! Edit for yourself, at first and then, get someone you trust, to be
honest with you, to read your work. Listen, even if you don’t change a word, at
least, listen to what they have to say. No one is pricklier about criticism
than I am and I don’t always change anything… I’m stubborn that way… but I do
listen. The last bit of advice I’ll offer is to consider self-publishing,
especially if you’re adamant about keeping the words pure and yours. It’s not
cheap. However, if you look at it as your start-up cost to do business, it
softens the blow and the expenses are tax deductible. If one takes this route,
it is extremely important to choose a reputable publisher, not just a fly by
night organization from the Internet. Choose an online, self-publishing
company, which is affiliated with a traditional publishing house, as Archway
Publishing is a division of Simon and Schuster. This is important, because
self-published authors need a lot of support services, like publicity,
marketing materials, etc., which many online publishers don’t have. I hope
these words of “wisdom” are helpful
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